Description - Buried in the heart of Virginia's piedmont in the midst of the 16,242-acre Cumberland State Forest is this park with all the amenities of larger parks but without the crowds. A new 14-mile multi-use trail adds to the desirability of this park.

Attractions
- Back in 1938, 100 men built this lake as a project of the VA Department of Agriculture. They were not members of the Civilian Conservation Corps, but simply laborers, carpenters and farmers seeking employment. Their stone picnic grills are still in use. Today, this quiet and friendly park is characterized by gently rolling hills graced with hardwoods, pines and cedars. On our visit, we sighted two wild turkeys, a large blue heron and a beautiful pair of cardinals against a snowy hillside backdrop.

Recreation - Activities revolve around the 40-acre lake with a swimming beach, picnicking, camping with full hookups and meandering hiking trails. Bear Creek Lake maintains a healthy population of largemouth bass, crappie, bream and catfish. A boat launch is available for non-gasoline powered boats. During the summer months the park rents bikes, canoes, rowboats, paddleboats, hydro-bikes, trolling motors and picnic shelters. Swimming is free for campers. This is Virginia's only park which hosts an archery range. There is a small fee for using the range and hours vary season to season. A small grocery store is available just outside the park entrance.

The adjacent Cumberland State Forest offers a sporting clays range on 30 acres of pristine woodland. The 1.1-mile course presently has 10 stations, with various levels of difficulty for the beginner, novice and experienced shooter. Walk-in shooters are accepted, with a maximum of 8 shooters per round. Reservations are recommended, call the Sporting Clays Office at 804-492-9526 or the Forestry Center Office at 804-492-4121.

Lees Retreat Driving Tour is a self-guided tour detailing the route taken by Robert E. Lee, commanding general of the Army of Northern Virginia, when he surrendered his men to Ulysses Grant, general-in-chief of all United States forces, on April 9, 1865. Appomattox National Historical Park is within a 30-minute drive. For more information call 1-800-6-RETREAT.

Location -
This park is within close driving proximity from the Richmond metropolitan area, making it a nice weekend getaway without the long distance drive. The park is located in Cumberland County just off Rt. 60. Take Rt. 60 to Rt. 622 and then Rt. 629 south to the park entrance. Signage on Rt. 60 is excellent.

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Trip Reports:
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This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip reportNumber of People Encountered: 0-10 pplRecommend to a Friend: HighlyReport: Support Virginia's Gold Medal Winning State Parks. State Parks and Natural Areas Bond Referendum, Tuesday, November 5, 2002.

Additional Information:Central Virginia Travel Region - Central Virginia is home to eleven State Parks, a historical driving tour, several wildlife refuges and natural areas as well as countless Civil War battlefields.Richmond Area - Richmond lies on the western outskirts of the Virginia tidewater region. It serves as the state and industrial capital of Virginia. Back in May 21, 1986, Richmond was made the Capitol of the Confederacy. Today, prominent status of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson and other Civil War heroes stand at the entrance of the state capitol grounds.Virginia Lakes - Virginia's lakes and reservoirs are scattered throughout the state. The lakes and reservoirs in Virginia range from huge reservoirs to small lakesVirginia State Parks - Virginia State Parks are special places where visitors find a tonic for mind, body and spirit. Thirty-four parks help visitors learn about the natural and cultural history of the Commonwealth.